With the pandemic continuing to wreak havoc on the United States, many Americans fear that President Donald Trump could use it as cover to postpone the 2020 Presidential election in November in an attempt to stay in power. Well, Jared Kushner did not do anything to assuage those fears.
The Constitution makes it clear that an election is supposed to occur every four years. But because Trump fears that he will lose to former Vice President Joe Biden, many Americans have expressed concern that Trump could try to stay in power by canceling democracy.
During an interview this week, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was asked whether the election would be postponed, only to give a very disturbing answer.
According to TIME:
When asked if there was a chance the presidential election could be postponed past November 3 due to the pandemic, Kushner said that isn’t his decision. “I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now that’s the plan,” he said.
Wait, did he just say “that’s the plan”?
Seriously?
Postponing the election is an aggressive move that smacks of authoritarianism and who knows how long Trump would try to postpone it. A month? Three months? A whole year? Technically, Trump’s term would expire in January regardless of whether an election takes place, but when hasn’t Trump ignored the Constitution?
Twitter users were not amused by Kushner’s response.
I’m sorry. So we’re setting aside Art II section 1 of the Constitution and the federal statute 3 U.S.C. section 1 to let Jared Kushner decide whether we will hold our presidential election this November? Even putting this question to him is an insult to the rule of law. https://t.co/5B1xNDA5cm
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) May 12, 2020
Kushner’s statement reveals amazing ignorance of the Constitution and law. It reveals startling arrogance in taking for granted he gets to have some say about when the election is held. It also reveals an utter lack of understanding of his very subordinate role in our democracy. https://t.co/3omqhZYNsM
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 13, 2020
Today Jared Kushner acted like the November election date could be moved, because he has no idea what he’s talking about.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) May 13, 2020
Imagine Jared Kushner getting to decide whether the United States postpones its presidential election
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) May 13, 2020
The constitution suggests we don’t need Jared Kushner’s authorization to hold an election. pic.twitter.com/D9o9TTa44K
— Steve Koczela (@skoczela) May 13, 2020
So election schedules are now up to Jared Kushner? I don’t remember the “Jared” clause in the Constitution. https://t.co/wfy9xDdl4Y
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) May 12, 2020
This election needs to proceed as scheduled. Trump doesn’t just get to decide when he gets thrown out of office or not. The American people get to make that decision. And if people have to go back to work, then they can certainly vote. Of course, voting wouldn’t be so risky if Trump and the GOP would back national vote-by-mail legislation. But either way, Americans are willing to risk death if it means ousting this blowhard narcissist from office and his little Republican lapdogs, too.
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